[chaucer73]

Hello.


This is my first post. I have searched and read several threads but decided to post a new one as my question is quite specific.

I have been using a Panasonic Lumix to record home audio/video recordings of myself and my family playing guitar and singing. The quality (sound especially) is not good, I can't edit them (on Movie Maker) and I want to be able to make better quality recordings.

I have a Dell Vostro 400 running 32 bit Vista Ultimate. I do not have a firewire connection. I have been loaned a Sony Digital Handycam model DCR-TRV245E. The person that loaned it to me does not have the CD-ROM with the software.

My questions are:
1] What must I do / what must I buy to be able to use the camcorder to record and transfer recordings to my PC (and from there to YouTube)?
2] Is the audio quality going to be better than on my Panasonic Lumix?
3] Should I invest in a different camcorder with facility to plug in one or more external microphones?
4] If so, which camcorders have this facility (budget no more than about £400)?

Many thanks.

[drivinscool]

Why can't you edit in movie maker?

I added a firewire to my desktop, search ebay for firewire PCI card, they're available for less than £10

[chaucer73]

Thanks.

Originally Posted by drivinscool

Why can't you edit in movie maker?

Something about the way Panasonic video saves as a .mov file that Movie Maker doesn't like!

Originally Posted by drivinscool

I added a firewire to my desktop, search ebay for firewire PCI card, they're available for less than £10

That's cheap to buy - is it easy to install? - I am not skilled or confident at PC DIY.
Also, would I still require the CD-ROM with firewire installed?

[drivinscool]

Originally Posted by chaucer73

Thanks.


Something about the way Panasonic video saves as a .mov file that Movie Maker doesn't like!


That's cheap to buy - is it easy to install? - I am not skilled or confident at PC DIY.
Also, would I still require the CD-ROM with firewire installed?

I just plugged it into a spare pci slot and windows did the rest for me when I booted the PC up.
Dead easy

Don't know what to say about the .mov issue though. With firewire installed I plugged my camera into the port and movie maker did the capture by default. That's with a Mini DV camera though.
Didn't you get any editing software with the camera?

[chaucer73]

Originally Posted by drivinscool

I just plugged it into a spare pci slot and windows did the rest for me when I booted the PC up.
Dead easy

plugged it in like you plug in a cable? ... or did you have to get inside the PC (that's what scares me)

Originally Posted by drivinscool

Don't know what to say about the .mov issue though.

that's just with my digital camera ... haven't got the camcorder connected to PC at all yet

Originally Posted by drivinscool

Didn't you get any editing software with the camera?

all software for the camcorder is on the missing CD-ROM ... Sony have quoted £40 to replace it

[drivinscool]

Originally Posted by chaucer73

plugged it in like you plug in a cable? ... or did you have to get inside the PC (that's what scares me)


that's just with my digital camera ... haven't got the camcorder connected to PC at all yet


all software for the camcorder is on the missing CD-ROM ... Sony have quoted £40 to replace it

Don't be afraid of going into the PC. Power it down and unplug itfrom the mains. Then press the power button on the front of the pc. This will make the pc try to start, using the charge built up in the transformer.
Then you just undo the screws slot the card into place and put it back together again.
Loads of poeple build their own PC's so don't be too scared of the internals.

I don't suppose that software is available to download from the sony website under customer/product support??

[chaucer73]

No - it seems like a money making thing from Sony !

If I put a firewire in will I be able to either stream and / or transfer video recordings to my PC then?

[A n d r e w]

FireWire is for transferring video from tape-based camcorders like the TRV245 you've been lent. I can't see that you'd need the Sony software. Movie Maker should allow you to import and edit video from the TRV245 once you've installed a FireWire card.

As for the audio being better on the Sony, you'll just have to try and see. Make sure that you set audio recording to 16-bit (check the menu) otherwise you may have synchronising problems when you transfer the video to your PC. External microphones, even relatively inexpensive ones, are almost always better than built-in mics: you can get closer to your subject for one thing.

[drivinscool]

Originally Posted by chaucer73

No - it seems like a money making thing from Sony !

If I put a firewire in will I be able to either stream and / or transfer video recordings to my PC then?

Exactly, and you get an uncompressed master copy to your PC, takes up a lot of space though, like 20Gb per tape.
Windows will recognise the video camera when connected with firewire so it's a relatively simple process.

That's about the limit of my knowledge on the subjet though so..........

Good luck mate

[chaucer73]

Thanks so much.

So, if I've got this right ... I can install (cheaply and easily) a firewire connection. A firewire cable between this and the Sony camcorder will allow Windows to recognise the new hardware. I can then use the camcorder to record audio / video whilst it is attached. The recording will be saved to my PC's hard drive. Is that all correct?

Additional - will this still work as a means of transferring if I record something on the camcorder when it is not attached to the PC at the time of recording?

Thanks

[drivinscool]

Originally Posted by chaucer73

Thanks so much.

So, if I've got this right ... I can install (cheaply and easily) a firewire connection. A firewire cable between this and the Sony camcorder will allow Windows to recognise the new hardware. I can then use the camcorder to record audio / video whilst it is attached. The recording will be saved to my PC's hard drive. Is that all correct?

Additional - will this still work as a means of transferring if I record something on the camcorder when it is not attached to the PC at the time of recording?

Thanks

Never tried that. Would possibly work though.

I only use it for transfering recorded material to the PC.

Yes , you just connect the camera and switch it on.

[chaucer73]

I'm reviving this old thread because the fix recommended above worked for a while...

but now when I connect my camera to my PC using the firewire the PC no loonger recognises that anything is attached and the 'wizard' doesn't appear ...

does anyone have a possible fault finding route to follow?

thanks

[hajj_3]

if i were you i'd borrow a camcorder that allows you to plug in an external microphone and borrow/buy an external microphone as built-in audio for camcorders/digital cameras is always poor.

you could use these to edit the .mov: I want to edit .mov files for free. - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

If you want to get a good hd camcorder buy this: NEW CANON VIXIA LEGRIA HF200 HD SD CAMCORDER +8GB SD on eBay (end time 24-Dec-09 18:22:11 GMT)

and this external microphone: Shotgun MIC Microphone Camera Camcorder DV 10.83 Inch on eBay (end time 14-Jan-10 18:21:47 GMT)

edit: just realised this thread is old, grrr.

[JackFord]

You need to get a Kodak Zi8, let me highlight some key features that will be useful to you;

Full HD 1080p video with built-in image stabilisation and Smartface tracking technology
Built-in USB arm for sharing and charging
Edit and upload to sharing sites like YouTube with built-in software
It also has a built in mic and speaker to capture and playback sound and the addition of an external microphone jack means you have the option to record in glorious stereo, great for playback on your HDTV.

It costs just under £120 at Amazon, maybe even cheaper in the Sales.

I have the littler-brother the Zi6, and that is great!

*edit* Just saw this thread was old, well if you want what the OP is asking for my recomendation stands.